Love this club

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Lyon edge APOEL in hard-fought contest

French club Lyon tonight shaded Cypriots APOEL Nicosia in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League tie.

Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal as Remi Garde's Lyon outfit edged a APOEL outfit playing in their first ever knockout stage fixture of the competition.

Two minutes prior to the hour-mark, Lyon took the lead when Brazilian defender Cris played in Lacazette on the side flank with the Frenchman cutting inside to unleash a shot which took a deflection off Paulo Jorge and found its way over APOEL keeper Dionisis Chiotis.

Lyon had a total of 18 goal attempts from their 64% of possession - opposed to APOELwho mustered just one shot on goal which came in the final few minutes - but could only breach the determined Nicosia defence on one occasion which sets up a very interesting affair for the second leg to be played at the Neo GSP Stadium on March 7.

About the author

Andrew Slevison is an avid sports fan, particularly of the world game. The Melbourne, Australia native, who has spent time living in London and travelling South America, takes a keen interest in the English Premier League and Major League Soccer and rates his best live footballing moment as the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil.